Search

The current business situation has significantly redefined the role of the modern consumer. He has turned from a passive user of goods and services to a conscious partner for businesses. The rapid development of the Internet means that it establishes relationships with other consumers and providers, acting as an Internet prosumer. The aim of the article is to determine the specificity of prosumer behavior on the Internet. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in April and May 2020. The standards of the CAWI technique were observed during the study. The survey results were compiled using the SPSS Statistic program. Statistical relationships were also presented using the Rho Spearman correlation. It has been shown that with the increase in the frequency of online shopping, the contacts with other online buyers increase. Along with the increase in monthly expenses of respondents on shopping on the Internet, the tendency to start communication with other buyers and above-average creativity are growing. Another correlation confirmed statistically indicates that longer time spent on daily Internet activity intensifies establishing contacts with other e-consumers

The aim of this paper is to define the business case for the involvement of SMEs in CSR from the perspective of employees. The work answers the following questions: (1) What socially responsible activities do SMEs undertake? (2) To what extent are SME employees involved in activities in the area of CSR? (3) How is the business rationale of CSR activities perceived by employees? On the basis of the conducted research, the authors decided to find out what and how socially responsible activities impact business performance. For this purpose, a structural model was estimated, using the maximum likelihood method. As a result of the research, it was found that small- and medium-sized enterprises engage in CSR activities, but their involvement is limited and focused on environmental, health-related initiatives, and social campaigns. This suggests the choice of activities that are related to the formation of responsible attitudes, which are universal but not very engaging for employees. The results also show that employees are not passive observers but are responsible for the implementation of the CSR initiatives, which may have positive and negative impacts on business performance. In the opinion of employees, the most important benefits of involvement in CSR are building trust, building relationships with clients, and image improvement. Motivators such as increased profitability or (surprisingly) sustainable development played a much smaller role. From the theory point of view, the research results define the scope and scale of SMEs involvement in corporate social responsibility activities and indicate the main benefits that result from this involvement for SMEs. The results of research allow for a more effective selection of CSR activities and areas in which companies can use CSR to support the achievement of business goals.

PURPOSE: The aim of the article is to illustrate the phenomenon of "green innovation" by econsumers and to analyze the relationship between the intensification of this phenomenon and the development of their agility., DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study was conducted in 2020 on a random sample of 330 enterprises. The respondents were top managers. The methods used in the study were PAPI as well as CAWI. In the first stage of the analysis, a valuation of the level of manifestation of the characteristic features of teal organizations concept was carried out with the use of a 5-point Likert scale. The second stage involved creating a model through which e-consumers create green innovations and implementing it in chosen Polish companies., FINDINGS: An in-depth analysis of the literature on the topic and the studies demonstrate a close correlation between the adoption of agile characteristics by e-consumers and the creation of "green innovations" by them. It was assumed that contemporary businesses exhibit characteristics of Teal organizations that are observable in their activities and management, but the extent of these features depends on a variety of factors., PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: A proprietary model through which e-consumers create green innovations was invented and implemented in a Polish company “Zakład Zieleni i Rekultywacji”. The implementation of the model in other companies may facilitate removing barriers and thus the range of innovation implementation by e-consumers may be extended., ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The model invented is a pioneer attempt to remove the barriers of innovation implementation co-created by consumers. The authors believe that the research conducted may diversify and augment the literature concerning Teal organizations and the role of e-consumers in green innovations as well as may stimulate the cooperation between companies and consumers in the field of innovations implementation., peer-reviewed

The aim of this paper is to define the business case for the involvement of SMEs in CSR from the perspective of employees. The work answers the following questions: (1) What socially responsible activities do SMEs undertake? (2) To what extent are SME employees involved in activities in the area of CSR? (3) How is the business rationale of CSR activities perceived by employees? On the basis of the conducted research, the authors decided to find out what and how socially responsible activities impact business performance. For this purpose, a structural model was estimated, using the maximum likelihood method. As a result of the research, it was found that small- and medium-sized enterprises engage in CSR activities, but their involvement is limited and focused on environmental, health-related initiatives, and social campaigns. This suggests the choice of activities that are related to the formation of responsible attitudes, which are universal but not very engaging for employees. The results also show that employees are not passive observers but are responsible for the implementation of the CSR initiatives, which may have positive and negative impacts on business performance. In the opinion of employees, the most important benefits of involvement in CSR are building trust, building relationships with clients, and image improvement. Motivators such as increased profitability or (surprisingly) sustainable development played a much smaller role. From the theory point of view, the research results define the scope and scale of SMEs involvement in corporate social responsibility activities and indicate the main benefits that result from this involvement for SMEs. The results of research allow for a more effective selection of CSR activities and areas in which companies can use CSR to support the achievement of business goals.

The article focuses on the specificity of the behavior of modern prosumers in the market for organic products as a determinant of sustainable consumption. The strengthening of the pro-consumer relationship is made possible thanks to ongoing technological changes, especially the development of the Internet. It is thanks to our online activities and the opinions of other Internet users that pro-consumer decisions concerning online purchases are shaped. The article presents the results of empirical studies conducted in 2020 on a sample of 664 respondents using a questionnaire, while the survey results were developed using SPSS Statistics. Findings of research showed the willingness of consumers for prosumption and kind of behaviors that were most often among the research group. In the course of research proceedings, it was possible to define factors that dispose declarative prosumers for the purchase of organic products. Conducted analyses also allowed for building the model of the influence of individual characteristics of respondents on the index of prosumption.

This chapter addresses the problem of managing a multigenerational team, pointing out that multigenerationality can be an important factor in market success. It must also be recognized as an important component of Industry 4.0, where human labor is accompanied by a high level of robotization. The aim of this chapter is to analyze the phenomenon of multigenerationality in the aspect of the challenge of managing a multigenerational team. The considerations are concluded with a presentation of the authors’ model of a multigenerational team functioning in a modern organization. It was pointed out that a multigenerational team creates the generational intelligence of a modern enterprise that exists in the times of Industry 4.0. The recommendations presented in the chapter can be helpful for company executives who are facing the challenge of managing a multigenerational team.

PURPOSE: The article attempts to diagnose digital competencies to provide equal opportunities in the small work market. The present paper employs the results of research from the project conducted by the same authors., DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study was conducted in 2021 on a random sample of 649 adult Poles. The method used in the study was CAWI. In the first stage of the analysis, based on the conducted research, attempts were made to establish which variables affect digital competencies (specifically, IT, information, and functional competencies). For this purpose, a structural model was estimated using the maximum likelihood method., FINDINGS: A thorough analysis of the literature on the topic and the studies demonstrate a close correlation between the strength of influence between endogenous variables, i.e., the discussed competencies., PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The research results clearly show that only by maintaining the balance between the specified digital competencies can a smooth functioning of a sustainable remote work market be ensured. Additionally, increasing IT competencies should result in higher digital competencies, and increasing functional competencies will automatically translate into increasing information competencies. Therefore, a good practice would be to monitor digital competencies essential to the use of digital media for professional purposes and organize training for employees from different generations., ORIGINALITY/VALUE: A set of endogenous variables that affect digital competencies (specifically, IT, information, and functional competencies) was identified, and the strength of influence between endogenous variables was shown., peer-reviewed

PURPOSE: The article attempts to assess the multivariable factors influencing the level of satisfaction of employees with the work they perform., DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study was conducted in 2021 on a random sample of 740 respondents using a questionnaire. The method used in the study was CAWI. At the first stage of the analysis, attempts were made to determine the variables influencing satisfaction with remote work performed. For this purpose, a structural model was estimated using the maximum likelihood method., FINDINGS: A set of variables that affect employee’s satisfaction with the work performed was identified, and the strength of influence between endogenous variables was shown., PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The research results show that the employer should emphasize the excellent support of employees because it will result in a higher degree of satisfaction with remote work. These variables should also be systematically monitored and analyzed as this would be mutually beneficial for both employers and employees and would contribute to the effectiveness of remote work., ORIGINALITY/VALUE: First work of each own with several variables not being considered be other researchers in the past., peer-reviewed

The authors put forward a concept of a method to support workforce demand planning intended for construction contractors. The construction business suffers from shortages of skilled labor. The method facilitates analyzing the possibilities of project-to project resource sharing and uncertainties in the flow of new orders, both characteristics of construction. Construction contractors’ manpower planning is based on a production plan. A precise and deterministic plan is possible only for a short planning horizon covering a fixed set of acquired orders. New orders are won irregularly, and the type and quantity of work they involve is uncertain. For this reason, the authors argue for using a simulation model of the company’s production plan. Such a plan facilitates mapping the variability in the number of orders, their start dates and delivery times, as well as workloads. Simulating the flow of prospective orders helps assess the degree of utilization of the enterprise’s human resources and the influence of the size of employment on the timeliness of the execution of individual projects. This provides a basis for determining reasonable employment levels. The approach helps determine the demand for manpower and provides the data necessary in the process of staff development and recruitment. Moreover, it provides a tool for assessing the feasibility of using in-house resources to fulfill new orders and the need to hire subcontractors. The novelty presented in the article is the method of manpower planning in construction companies, making it possible to take into account risk conditions in acquiring new orders and the variability of construction process execution times due to factors disturbing the work flow. The concept of the method was the basis for the development of a simulation model of the construction company’s order execution under random conditions, allowing for the evaluation of the effects of maintaining different levels of employment of the workforce in terms of the degree of utilization of the production potential and timeliness of individual projects. Thus, the result of the research is a tool supporting the decision making of construction managers in human resources management practice.

The aim of the article is to analyze the purchasing behavior of young e-consumers of organic products in regard to sustainable consumption. The article highlights the importance of the Internet in the intensification of purchasing processes of modern consumers and presents the results of the study conducted in November 2021 using a survey questionnaire involving a sample of 620 respondents. As a result of statistical analyses, a structural model was estimated using the maximum likelihood method. It allowed us to determine the variables that influence the purchasing behavior of young e-consumers, as well as to illustrate the degree of the influence between endogenous variables. Defining these relationships made it possible to determine the factors that affect the buying behavior of young e-consumers in the market of organic products. The results of the study and the analysis of the model have led us to the conclusion that purchasing behavior is mainly determined by product information derived from various sources involving product and service quality or warranty, thus giving the consumers the right to file a complaint. The balance between these factors creates the grounds for sustainable consumption and putting emphasis on the specified groups of factors by the producers will allow shopping activities to intensify among young e-consumers. The ongoing SARS-CoV-19 pandemic has posed a serious limitation to an effective performance of the following study. In the future, the authors intend to carry out similar research among overseas respondents so that it is possible to verify if the current trends can also be traced in foreign markets.

The scale of applying information technologies and mobile devices in market transactions is modelling behaviours of consumers in a very large scale. Such changes are noticeable not only in the manner of purchasing goods in stationary shops, but above all they mean virtualization of purchase behaviours of all client groups. The aim of the article to identify symptoms of modern consumer behaviours of the chosen group of consumers. To illustrate the discussed issues the author used results of empirical research carried out on the group of 125 physically disabled consumers. The research was carried out in Lubelskie Provinces. The Statistica program was used. Narrowing examinations to the determined section was driven by differences in intensity of individual needs as well as possibilities of meeting those needs between physically disabled consumers and consumers without physical limitations.

The aim of the article is to identify the problems encountered by a researcher addressing the issue of recognizing behaviours manifested by consumers with motor disabilities. For example, in order to obtain the primary data needed to carry out the deductive process, above all, it is necessary to strive to ensure their representativeness. In research on market behaviour of consumers with disabilities, the pursuit of representativeness results in a number of methodological and organizational problems. To ensure the representativeness of marketing research, a random selection, free from the intentional factors of the researcher, should be used. However, in the case of the study group, random sampling is almost impossible due to the difficulty of selecting the appropriate study population list. This article is the result of the problems experienced in the many-year processes of carrying out research on this segment.

Wspolczesna rzeczywistośc rynkowa wymusza poniekąd na przedsiebiorstwach budowanie dlugotrwalych i korzystnych relacji z klientami, pozytywnych nie tylko dla przedsiebiorstwa, ale rowniez ‒ a moze przede wszystkim ‒ dla klienta. Pozyskanie lojalnego klienta nie odbywa sie szybko i bez wysilku, ale w perspektywie funkcjonowania w warunkach wysoce konkurencyjnych moze okazac sie kluczową determinantą sukcesu. Z tego tez powodu niezwykle istotnym zagadnieniem staje sie doglebne poznanie czynnikow modelujących oczekiwania nabywcze klientow i determinujących podejmowane przez nich wybory. Szczegolną uwage nalezy poświecic osobom niepelnosprawnym, ktore ze wzgledu na doświadczane ograniczenia zdrowotne zbyt czesto czują sie marginalizowane i pomijane w dzialaniach marketingowych podejmowanych przez przedsiebiorstwa. W niniejszym opracowaniu zaprezentowano wyniki badan niepelnosprawnych ruchowo mieszkancow wojewodztwa lubelskiego dotyczące znaczenia odmiennych determinant kreowanej lojalności na roznych rynkach. Material badawczy stanowilo 156 kwestionariuszy ankiet.

Many scholars and companies are showing a growing interest in corporate social ersponsibility, a concept whereby companies decide voluntarily to contribute to solving socially important issues. This term is used then to describe what some researchers perceive as a company's obligation to be sensitive to the needs of all the stakeholders in its business operations. However, that concept is too often understood in means of ecology and being environmentally friendly and unfortunately merely few companies decide to consider social aspects in means of disabled consumers. A key to the success of every entrepreneurship that exists under the dynamically changing conditions of modern markets and economies lies in skill ful managing contacts with other market participants – does not matter whether the participant is a supplier, a competitor, a buyer or a final consumer. That is why all groups should be treated in an equal way – including disabled consumers, as they all – taken together or separately – can influence and create the future success of the company. This theoretical paper exemplifies the situation of disabled consumers in Poland, explores corporate practices related to CSR and shows the significance of the CSR concept considering disability in building competitive and efficient company.

Zachowania wspolczesnych konsumentow podlegają nieustającym zmianom, ktore prowokowane są wieloma trendami konsumpcyjnymi. Wśrod wspomnianych trendow wymienic mozna serwicyzacje, globalizacje, ekologizacje, wirtualizacje czy wreszcie prosumpcje. Konsument niepelnosprawny, jak kazdy inny, ulega wplywom postmodernistycznym, a system wyznawanych przez niego wartości systematycznie ewoluuje. Niniejszy artykul ma na celu przedstawienie glownych trendow zmian i ich wplywu na zachowania konsumenckie osob niepelnosprawnych.

Zachowania konsumentow podlegają ustawicznym transpozycjom. Z jednej strony są one modelowane przez ciągly rozwoj technologii teleinformatycznych i dynamiczne zmiany obserwowane na rynku. Z drugiej jednak strony zachowania stają sie czynnikiem sprawczym i przyczyniają sie do kolejnych przeobrazen. Niniejszy artykul ma na celu przedstawienie trendow konsumenckich osob niepelnosprawnych ruchowo, ktore pojawiają sie lub nasilają we wspolczesnym spoleczenstwie konsumpcyjnym w kontekście tendencji do digitalizacji stosunkow spolecznych. Pierwsza tura przeprowadzonych badan ukazala, ze osoby niepelnosprawne coraz cześciej wykazują sklonności do zachowan prosumenckich przez wyrazanie swoich opinii i oczekiwan za pośrednictwem portali spolecznościowych, forow internetowych i stron www producentow. Grupa konsumentow niepelnosprawnych jako podmiot prowadzonych rozwazan zostala wybrana nie bez przyczyny – jest to grupa bardzo liczna, zarowno w Polsce, jak i w na świecie oraz nie jest ona wyczerpująco opisana w literaturze przedmiotu.